Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence.
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

[LA] Fired Deputy Schaeffer's victims have reason to fear

...Mutz said Monday that the ruling did little to ease her fears since the monitoring device has to be ordered. "I'm 100 percent terrified and devastated," she said. "To know that man is walking free to do whatever he deems necessary, it doesn't seem logical. It doesn't seem like our justice system would allow this."

Previous entry:[LA] Lt. Schaeffer accused of dv, rape, sex assault by 3 women...Schaeffer was just fired in October after Tracey Mutz, his ex-girlfriend, filed domestic violence charges on him. He's charged with aggravated rape and 2nd degree battery on her. Two other women are accusing him as well...Ex-cop out on bail in rape caseBut he must wear monitoring deviceThe Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LABy Victoria St. MartinTuesday, February 26, 2008[Excerpts] Former St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff's Deputy Allan Wayne Schaeffer, who was indicted in January on charges of rape and battery, remains free on bail, but will be required to wear a monitoring device, a judge ruled Monday morning. While ruling in favor of state prosecutors who sought the electronic monitoring, state District Court Judge Mary Hotard Becnel postponed hearing the rest of the state's appeal on whether Schaeffer's $335,000 surety bond is valid... The hearing was postponed until March 5 after Schaeffer's attorney requested a continuance because of a conflict. The attorney, Tomy Acosta with the public defender's office, said he has some pending cases where Schaeffer was the investigator. Because Schaeffer is also a witness in those cases, the public defender's office filed a motion saying a new attorney will be assigned to the case... Sheriff's officials said Monday that they must order the monitor because the department does not have one. In addition, Becnel ordered Schaeffer to make a formal application to the public defender's office to explain why he's not able to afford an attorney... Schaeffer, a 16-year veteran, was jailed Jan. 14 after a state grand jury indicted him on charges of aggravated rape, second-degree battery and attempted sexual battery. Schaeffer has pleaded innocent to the charges... The appeal, filed Wednesday by Assistant Attorney General Ali Zito Shields, argues that Schaeffer did not show proof that the person who signed the surety bond is worth $335,000 or that she has property in the state as required by law. It says that he should be ordered back to jail if he fails to provide the documents. If he's allowed to remain out on bail, Shields requested that Schaeffer be made to wear a monitoring device, saying that he's a flight risk. Becnel granted the request for the electronic monitoring device, after Shields referenced a criminal code that requires any person indicted on an aggravated rape charge to have one as a condition of bail... "We are for the protection of any witness or victim in this case," Shields said. "I feel like today was a step in this process"... Schaeffer was fired from the St. John Sheriff's Office in October after a State Police investigation, which stemmed from a domestic dispute complaint filed by Tracey Mutz, a former girlfriend... Schaeffer is charged with one count of aggravated rape in a November 2005 incident, one count of second-degree battery in a May 2006 incident, and one count of attempted sexual battery in a February 2007 incident. As a condition of his bail, the court has issued a stay-away order for the complainants. Mutz said Monday that the ruling did little to ease her fears since the monitoring device has to be ordered. "I'm 100 percent terrified and devastated," she said. "To know that man is walking free to do whatever he deems necessary, it doesn't seem logical. It doesn't seem like our justice system would allow this"...

LAST WEEK:

Former deputy's bond release disputedProsecutor claims paperwork lackingThe Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LABy Victoria St. MartinFebruary 21, 2008[Excerpts] ...The motion said Schaeffer, 47, posted 10 percent of his $335,000 bond and that a woman named Karyn N. Schaeffer signed an affidavit attesting to the fact that she was worth the amount of the bond. The documents don't show any other act of mortgage or security interest as required by law, according to the motion... The motion also says that during the State Police investigation, a woman told the attorney general's office that Schaeffer had introduced himself to her with a false name and claimed to be an Orleans Parish sheriff's officer. Prior to the indictment, Schaeffer told the woman he may go to jail for failing to give someone their Miranda warnings, according to the motion. Shields said the story is evidence that he should be monitored while out on bail...

13 comments:

He's an animal who left a path of destruction through many lives. He needs to get life. If he doesn't his victims will likely be revictimized when he gets out of prison. He poses under different names.

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/01/a_former_st_john_sheriff_deput.html\Posted by PetLover4EVA on 01/16/08 at 10:00AM

jones is trying to cya- his own. Why were complaints for sexual battery and simple battery in 1999 never investigated when at least 10 cops and DA employees witnessed schaeffer's assault on a woman in a bar? prior to that, numerous domestic violence complaints were reported and police responded to his residence when married to a former wife. he was never arrested. why was schaeffer only fired after news cameras showed up at his office? enquiring minds want to know. why did jones ignore calls from the hospital when one of the victims present with serious injuries? why wasn't he arrested as required by law? why didn't jones act on complaints from other law enforcement groups about schaeffer? http://www.womenslaw.org/LA/LA_statutes.htm

Citing a deteriorating rapport with the victims, the state attorney general's office has recused itself from a case involving a St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff's deputy facing rape charges.

The prosecution of Allan Wayne Schaeffer, a 16-year veteran, on charges of aggravated rape, second-degree battery and attempted sexual battery has been handed over to Ascension Parish's district attorney.

In a written statement about the recusal, state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's office said "good rapport between the prosecutor and the victim is critical in criminal cases."

"We felt that because that rapport was no longer present, another prosecutor could more effectively handle the case," wrote Tammi Arender-Herring, a spokeswoman for Caldwell's office.

St. John Parish District Attorney John Crum recused his office from prosecuting Schaeffer's case last year, noting his office's close ties to the Sheriff's Office. St. John Sheriff Wayne L. Jones was a chief investigator for Crum before he became sheriff.

Schaeffer, 47, was fired from the Sheriff's Office on Oct. 19 after an investigation into a domestic dispute complaint. The findings of the investigation, conducted by the State Police, were turned over to the state attorney general's office.

A St. John Parish grand jury indicted Schaeffer in January. Since then, he has been wearing an ankle monitoring device as a condition of his bail while awaiting trial.

A court hearing scheduled for Thursday has been continued to Dec. 3, according to a letter from 23rd Judicial District Attorney Anthony "Tony" Falterman's office, which covers Ascension, Assumption and St. James parishes.

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Victoria St. Martin can be reached at vstmartin@timespicayune.com or 985.652.0952.

24767. Does anyone knowby ChangeTheLaw, 6/12/08 18:04 ETIf Paula Chenier has been laid to rest yet? I haven't seen anything on her in a while and her family deserves closure. http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall/index.ssf?extlink?artid=144421

24767.1. Paulaby mullynda, 6/12/08 19:08 ETRe: Does anyone know by ChangeTheLaw, 6/12/08no she has not as of last week! http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall/index.ssf?extlink?artid=144421

24767.1.1. Manby ChangeTheLaw, 6/12/08 19:20 ETRe: Does anyone know by ChangeTheLaw, 6/12/08I am sorry to hear that. Do you know if the alleged suicide notes were turned over to her family? http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall/index.ssf?extlink?artid=144421

24767.1.1.1. generallyby allfeddupp5, 6/12/08 23:30 ETRe: Does anyone know by ChangeTheLaw, 6/12/08the police department maintains possession of them in the rare event that the death is reclassified as other than a suicide. http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall/index.ssf?extlink?artid=144421

24767.2. Paulaby coolbreeze7, 6/13/08 9:37 ETRe: Does anyone know by ChangeTheLaw, 6/13/08Her DNA is being completed at this time. Services should be soon. Yes the family has the notes. Please pray for this family. http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall/index.ssf?extlink?artid=144421

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25717. Paula Chenier'sby coolbreeze7, 7/15/08 21:13 ETservices are planned for the end of this week. Check the paper on or about Thursday for information. Pray for her family as she is finally being brought home to her resting place. http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall/index.ssf?extlink?artid=149484

Published in The Times-Picayune on 7/17/2008Paula S. ChenierCHENIER Paula S. Chenier on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. Beloved mother of Ashley Chenier. Daughter of Phyllis M. Chenier and the late Donald Chenier. Sister of Ricky Chenier. Daughter-in-law of Debbie Martin. Granddaughter of the late Louis and Alma Chenier, Gaston and Edna Martin and Ignace (Yace) and Hortense (Tonse) Martin. Age 37 years. A native and a resident of LaPlace, LA. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend services. Visitation at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, LaPlace, LA on Saturday, July 19, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Followed by Religious Services at the Chruch at 11:30 a.m. Burial in St. Peter Cemetery, Reserve, LA. Arrangements by Millet-Guidry Fuenral Hme, LaPlace, LAhttp://obits.nola.com/NOLA/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=113571017

25853. Memorial Serviceby ChangeTheLaw, 7/19/08 8:31 ETThere will be a memorial service for Paula Chenier at St. Joan of Arc today. I do not know if this a private family matter, so pease contact the church for more infmation. God Bless you, Paula. You were a lovley person and will be missed more than you'll ever know. To the community, please be supportive of her family. If you can donate food, sandwiches, etc. I am sure they will be greatly appreciatd. They didn't ask for anything, but this is the neighorbly thing to do.For the remainder of this week please burn a candle for those lost to these crimes. Light their way to be with our lord. Many pant to light candles. Just make sure you don't set your house on fire. If you can't light a candle, please light a white christmas light in her memory. God Bless this family and NO she DID NOT commit suicide regardless of what authorities want you to believe. Also light a candle or white light visible for all to let everyone that Tiff that other unidentified peraon is rememberes. Mu heart goes out to all lf the family and friends. God Bles You All. AMENNo loss of life should unmourned. http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall/index.ssf?extlink?artid=150101

Woman's burned body identifiedLaPlace victim was found under mattressNOLA.comSaturday, April 12, 2008By Victoria St. Martin

Authorities have identified a woman's body found under a burned mattress earlier this week as the remains of 37-year-old Tiffany J. Blythe of LaPlace and are investigating her death as a homicide.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Maj. Mike Tregre said deputies identified the woman through fingerprints. Determination of a cause of death is pending, he said.

An autopsy was performed Thursday by the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office, but the death is unclassified.

Blythe's body was found by firefighters in an open lot at the end of a trailer court in LaPlace on Wednesday.

Firefighters, called to the 100 block of Medallion Court by a neighbor to put out a grass fire Wednesday around 11:42 a.m., told investigators that Blythe's badly burned body had been covered with a mattress.

Investigators identified Blythe using fingerprints that were on file with authorities from previous arrests for prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Family members acknowledged Blythe had experienced more than her share of rough patches, but they described her Friday as a woman who was trying to turn her life around.

Blythe's father said he spotted his daughter walking on Main Street just two weeks ago. He said their eyes met and she flipped her head up at him.

"There's no telling what Tiffany went through. We don't know if she was murdered or OD'd," said her father, Robert C. Blythe, "but why would they burn her body? It seems like foul play to me."

Authorities have told Blythe's family members that toxicology test results will not come back for two to three weeks.

On Friday, they remembered her as a loving daughter, sister and mother, who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping in the great outdoors.

She often worked as a waitress in her father's Airline Highway restaurant and lost her mother to a car accident when she was 10.

"She was my only sister," said Tara Blythe, 30, describing how much her older sister enjoyed bullying her, as she pushed tears off her face. "Tiffany didn't deserve what happened to her -- nobody deserves that. She fell into the hands of the wrong person."

Blythe's family members say they hope her life will be remembered for its bright spots.

"She was happy-go-lucky," said her father. "Tiffany deserves justice."

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Victoria St. Martin can be reached at vstmartin@timespicayune.com or at (985) 652-0952.

Woman's body found hanging from a tree in Reserveby Victoria St. Martin, The Times-PicayuneThursday May 01, 2008, 10:13 PMBRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNESt. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's deputies investigate the death of a woman found hanging from a tree in a wooded area off North West Fourth Street Thursday, May 1, 2007 in Reserve.

The death of a woman whose body was found Thursday hanging from a tree branch in Reserve is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said.

An autopsy is scheduled for this morning at the Orleans Parish coroner's office, said Maj. Mike Tregre, a spokesman for the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office.

Authorities are not sure how long the body had been there, but it had started to decompose.

A parish public works employee, who had just finished cutting grass in a canal, said he was driving near Northwest Fourth Street about 1:15 p.m. when he spotted the body.

Tregre said the body is unidentified and deputies are investigating the death as a homicide. That's standard procedure when a body is found, Tregre said. He said there is no evidence to suspect foul play at this time.

The woman was hanging from a tree limb not far off the ground, Tregre said.

The parish employee, Lonnie Ellis, said the woman appeared to be in her mid-20s, but deputies were not able to determine her race. Tregre said an autopsy may reveal more details.

Ellis, who was driving a tractor, said he saw the woman hanging from a noose in a tree inside a wooded area.

"It stung me," Ellis said. "I wasn't sure and I got a co-worker to come back and take a look. We thought it was a joke."

Investigators removed the body from deep within a thicket of trees late Thursday afternoon. Neighbors said no one had been seen in the area.

Authorities cannot say whether the body is that of a missing Reserve woman. Friends of the missing woman, Paula Chenier, 37, of West 17th Street, quietly waited near the woods Thursday afternoon while parish investigators collected evidence.

A family member said Chenier's purse was found near the body. Chenier, who lived with her boyfriend, was last seen April 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the In & Out store on River Road, said friends Kimberly Romain and Angela Comeaux.

They said Chenier suffers from seizures and high blood pressure, and did not have her medication with her. She was wearing white sneakers, a white T-shirt and blue jeans shorts.

Victoria St. Martin can be reached at vstmartin@timespicayune.com or (985) 652-0952.http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/womans_body_found_hanging_from.html

The body of a woman found hanging from a tree in Reserve had no signs of foul play, according to preliminary autopsy findings, a spokesman from the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office said Friday.

While the Friday morning autopsy did not determine the cause of the woman's death, deputies are still investigating the death as a homicide, authorities said.

Maj. Mike Tregre, a Sheriff's Office spokesman, said there was no evidence of gunshot wounds, stab wounds, contusions or blunt force trauma on the body, which was found by a parish worker Thursday about 1 p.m.

Tregre said investigators believe the woman's body may have been in the trees near Northwest Fourth Street for at least two weeks.

Authorities have not released the woman's identity, but they say she was white. The parish worker said he believed the woman to be in her mid-20s.

Authorities do have a tentative identification, but are not revealing it. They are trying to match dental records, Tregre said.

A parish public works employee who had just finished cutting grass near a canal said he was driving near Northwest Fourth Street about 1:15 p.m. when he spotted the body. He said the woman was hanging from a noose.

Family and friends of a missing Reserve woman -- Paula Chenier, 37, of West 17th Street -- think it could be her. One family member said Chenier's purse was found near the body.

Chenier was last seen April 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the In & Out store on River Road. She was wearing white sneakers, a white T-shirt and blue denim shorts.

Tregre said the death of the woman found Thursday is not connected to the unsolved deaths of two other women whose bodies were discovered recently in the parish.

DNA testing is being used to identify a woman found floating in the Mississippi River near Reserve on April 7. Investigators believe it may be the body of a missing St. James woman. Authorities say the woman had been in the river for more than a year.

Investigators are comparing DNA from her body with DNA from a family member, Tregre said.

Deputies are still investigating the death of Tiffany J. Blythe, 37, whose badly burned body was found April 9 in a vacant lot under a burned mattress in LaPlace.

Blythe's case is being investigated as a homicide, said Tregre, and a cause of death has yet to be determined.

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Victoria St. Martin can be reached at vstmartin@timespicayune.com or (985) 652-0952.

L’OBSERVATEUR TAKES A LOOK BACK AT 2008January 5, 2009 [JANUARY] ...Allan Wayne Schaeffer, a 16-year veteran of the St. John Sheriff’s Office, is indicted on charges of aggravated rape and attempted sexual battery. He would plead not guilty and face trial in 2009... [APRIL] The bodies of three area females are found under suspicious circumstances: Tiffany Blythe of LaPlace was found under a burnt out mattress in an abandoned field, the headless body of a St. James woman was found in the Mississippi River and Reserve resident Paula Chenier was found hanging in trees in Reserve...http://www.lobservateur.com/articles/2009/01/05/news/doc495e9676a4fca450125451.txt